There has been a decline in the number of monkeypox cases being identified in the UK according to the latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) technical briefing.

Of the 3,025 confirmed cases in England, 36 were women and the remaining 2989 were men. According to the data, the virus is primarily being transmitted in interconnected sexual networks of gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), there is no robust evidence of sustained transmission outside of these networks.

The decline is fastest in London, however there are still new cases in all regions of the country.

Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: "Whilst there are fewer new cases being identified, we are detecting cases in all regions of England and the global outbreak continues. We ask that everyone checks themselves for monkeypox symptoms, including rashes and blisters, particularly if you have had new sexual partners recently – in the UK or abroad."

As of 17 August, more than 33,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered, mostly to GBMSM, but also to healthcare workers working with monkeypox and close contacts of positive cases.

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